E minor scale on piano
The E minor scale uses the notes E - F♯ - G - A - B - C - D and has 1 sharp. This page shows the natural minor scale.
Numbers on the keys are right-hand fingers (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger).
E minor scale fingering
| Hand | E | F♯ | G | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Practice each hand alone, slowly, until the thumb crossing feels smooth. Then play hands together at a tempo where you make no mistakes, and raise it a little each day.
Chords in E minor
Build a triad on every note of the scale and you get the seven chords that belong to this key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | E minor | E - G - B |
| ii° | F♯ diminished | F♯ - A - C |
| III | G major | G - B - D |
| iv | A minor | A - C - E |
| v | B minor | B - D - F♯ |
| VI | C major | C - E - G |
| VII | D major | D - F♯ - A |
The most common progression in pop music in this key is Em - Bm - C - Am (i - v - VI - iv).
Relative key
G major is the relative major of E minor. Both scales use the same notes; they simply start on a different note, which changes the mood.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the E minor scale?
E minor: E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D, E.
How many sharps or flats are in E minor?
E minor has 1 sharp (F♯).
What is the relative major of E minor?
G major. It shares the same notes and key signature as E minor.